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Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield

President Obama, British Prime Minister Cameron Hold News Conference. Aired 12:30-1p ET

Aired April 22, 2016 - 12:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[12:30:01] DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: I think we have a U.S question there now.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: (Inaudible) Sector.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks Mr. President. Following on that, do you think that between Brexit and the migration issue, European Union unity is at a crisis point? What do you hope leaders gathering in Germany can concretely do about it? And do you expect those nations to military support, including the possibility of ground troops the new government in Libya to keep that situation from further strain in Europe. While we're talking about future summit of (inaudible) maybe you could talk about whether you plan to go to Hiroshima when you visit Japan and ...

OBAMA: Come on, man.

INIDENTIFIED MALE: You're stretching it.

INIDENTIFIED MALE: I promise. Prime Minister Cameroon, the presidents come here to tell the U.K. that as friend and speaking honestly, they should stay in the E.U. As a friend and speaking honestly, what would you advise Americans to do about Donald Trump? Thanks.

CAMERON: I'll let you take that.

OBAMA: That was so predictable.

CAMERON: (Inaudible) and then I'll pick up that last one.

OBAMA: Yes. Exactly. I want to describe European unity as in a crisis but I would say it is under strength. And some of that just has to do with the aftermath of the financial crisis and the strains that we're all aware of with respect to the Eurozone. I think it is important to emphasize as David points out that the U.K. is not part of the Eurozone and so the blow back to the British economy has been different than it is on the continent. But we've seen divisions and difficulties between the southern and the northern parts of Europe. That's created some strengths.

I think the migration crisis amplifies a debate that's taking place not just in Europe but in the United States as well. At a time of globalization, at a when a lot of the challenges that we face are transnational as opposed to just focus, there is a temptation to why not just pull up the drawbridge, literally or figuratively. We see that played out in some of the debates that are taking place in the U.S. presidential choice. And that debate, I think, is accelerated in Europe.

But I'm confident that the ties that bind Europe together are ultimately much stronger than the forces that are trying to pull them apart. Europe has undergone an extraordinary stretch of prosperity, maybe unmatched in the history of the world. If you think about the 20th century and you think about the 21st century, 21st century Europe looks an awful lot better. And I think the majority of Europeans recognize that. They see that unity and peace have delivered sustained economic growth, reduced conflict, reduced violence, enhanced the quality of life for people and I'm confident that can continue.

But I do believe that it's important to watch out for some of these fault lines that are developing. And in that sense, I do think that the Brexit and vote which if I'm a citizen of the U.K. -- I'm thinking about it solely in terms of how is this helping me, how is this helping the U.K. economy? How is it helping create jobs here in the U.K.? That's the right way to think about it. But I do also think that this vote will send a signal that is relevant about whether the kind of prosperity that we built together is going to continue. Or whether the forces of division end up being more prominent and that's why it's -- that's part of the reason why it's relevant to the United States and why I have had the temerity to weigh in?

What were your four other questions? I got to figure I knocked out two.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Libya.

[12:35:03] OBAMA: With respect to Libya, both David and I discuss our commitment to try to assist this nation's government. And it's a challenge. But there are people in this government of national accord that are genuinely committed to building back up a state. That's something we desperately want because both the United States and the United Kingdom but also a number of other allies are more than prepared to invest in helping create border security in Libya and helping the drive out terrorists inside of Libya. And trying to make sure that what could be a thriving society, relatively small population, a lot of resources, this is not an issue where we should have to subsidize Libya. They're actually in a much better position than some other countries that we've been helping. If they can just get their act together and we want to help provide that technical assistance to get that done.

There's no plans for ground troops in Libya. I don't think that's necessary. I don't think it would be welcomed by this new government. It would send the wrong signal. This is a matter of can Libyans come together? What we can do is to provide them our expertise. What we can do is to provide them training. What we can do is provide them a road map for how they can get basic services to their citizens and build up legitimacy. But I do think the one area where both David and I are heavily committed is as this progresses, we can't wait if ISIL is starting to getting a foothold there. And so we are working not just with the Libyan government but a lot of our international partners to make sure that we're getting the intelligence that we need and in some cases, taking actions to prevent ISIL from having a stronghold from which to launch attacks against Europe or the United States.

And I think you have to wait until I get to Asia to start asking me Asia questions.

CAMERON: The question you asked me. This is not a general election. This is a referendum. And as Barrack has explained, it's a referendum that affects of course the people of the United Kingdom very deeply. But it also does affects others in the European Union and affects partners like America or Canada or Australia or New Zealand. And, you know, as I look around the world, it is hard to find, so far, I haven't found a country that wishes Britain well that thinks we ought to leave the European Union. And I think that's, again, it's our choice. We'll make the decision. We'll listen to all the arguments. People want the facts. They want the arguments. They want to know the consequences and I try to lay those out as clearly as I can. But listening to our friends, listening to countries that wish us well is part of the process and it's a good thing to do.

As for the American elections, I've made some comments in recent weeks and months. I don't think now is the moment to add or them or subtract from them but I think just as in a prime minister has been through two general elections leading my party, you always look on the U.S. elections in awe of the scale of the process and the length of the process and I marvel at anyone left standing at the end of it.

OBAMA: Fortunately, we're term limited. So I too can look in awe at the process.

CAMERON: We have another British question from (inaudible) from the BBC.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. Mr. President, you've made your views very plain on the fact that British voters should stay in the EU but in the interest of good friends always being honest, are you seeing our decades-old relationship that's been through so much would be fundamentally damaged and changed by our exit, if so, how? .Are you also -- do you have any sympathy with people who think this is none of your business?

And Prime Minister, to you, if I may, some of your colleagues believe it's utterly wrong you've dragged our closest ally into the E.U. referendum campaign. What do you say to them and is it appropriate for the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to have brought up President Obama's Kenyan ancestry in the context of this debate?

CAMERON: Well let me, these are British question let me, so I mean, first of all, they're questions for Boris, they're not questions for me. I didn't have some special power over the president of the United States, you know, Barrack feels strongly about this and he said what he said. And as I said, it's our decision as a sovereign people the choice about Europe, but I think its right to listen to and consider the advice of your friends. And you know, just to amplify the points that Barack made. We have a shared interest of making sure Europe takes a robust

approach to Russian aggression. And if you take those issues of the sanctions that we put in place through the European Union, I think I can put my hand on my heart and say that Britain played a really important role and continues to play an important role in making sure those sanctions were put in place and kept in place. I'm not sure it would have, happened if we weren't there.

Now it's in our interest, and it is in our interest for Europe to be strong against aggression. How can it be an interest not to be at that table and potentially to see those sanctions not take place? And I think it's been that working between Britain and the United States over this issue. That has helped to make a big difference, I would just say, about the special relationship to me and I'm passionate about it. I believe it deeply for all the reasons of the history and the language and the culture but the future of our country.

And the truth is this. The stronger Britain is and the stronger America is, the stronger that relationship will be. And I want Britain to be as strong as possible. And we draw our strength from all sorts of things that we have as a country, the fifth largest economy in the world. Amazing armed forces. Brilliant security forces and intelligence forces, and we were discussing about how well they work together. Incredibly talented people. Brilliant universities. Effective members of NATO and the G-7, the G-20, the commonwealth. But we draw strength and project strength, and project power, and project our values, and protect our people, and make our country wealthier and our people wealthier by being in the European Union.

So I want Britain to be as strong as possible. And the stronger Britain is, the stronger that special relationship and the more we can get done together to make sure we have a world that promotes democracy, peace, human rights, and the development that we want to see across the world. So to me, it's simple. Stronger Britain, stronger special relationship. That's in our interest and that's in the interest of the United States of America as well.

OBAMA: Let me start with Winston Churchill. You know, I don't know if people are aware of this but in the residence on the second floor, my office, my private office is called the treaty room. And right outside the door of the treaty room, so that I see it every day, including on weekends when I'm going into that office to watch a basketball game, the primary image I see is a bust of Winston Churchill. It's there voluntarily because I can do anything on the second floor. I love Winston Churchill. I love the guy. Now, when I was elected as president of the United States, my predecessor had kept a Churchill bust in the oval office. There are only so many tables where you can put busts. Otherwise it starts looking a little cluttered. And I thought it was appropriate and I suspect most people here in the United Kingdom might agree that as the first Arican-Amrican president, it might be appropriate to have a bust of a Dr. Martin Luther King in my office to remind me of all the hard work of a lot of people who would somehow allow me to have the privilege of holding this office. That's just on Winston Churchill. I think people should know that. Know my thinking there. With respect to the special relationship, I have a staff member who

will not be named because it might embarrass her a little bit who generally on foreign trips does not leave the hotel or the staff room because she's constantly doing work making this happen. She has had one request the entire time that I have been president and that, could she accompany me to Windsor on the off chance that she might get a peek at Her Majesty, the queen? And gracious as she is, Her Majesty actually had this person along with couple of others lined up so that as we emerged from lunch, they could say hello. And this staff person who is as tough as they come almost fainted which was, I'm glad she didn't because it would have cost an incident. That's the special relationship. We are so bound together that nothing is going to impact the emotional and cultural and intellectual affinities between our two countries.

So I don't come here suggesting in any way that that is impacted by the decision that the people of the United Kingdom may make around whether or not they're members of the European Union. That's there. That's solid and that will continue hopefully eternally. And the cooperation in all sorts of ways through NATO, through G-7, G-20. All of those things will continue. But as David said, if one of our best friends is in an organization that enhances their influence and enhances their power and enhances their economy. Then I want them to stay at it. Or at least, I want to be able to tell them, I think this makes you guys bigger players. I think this helps your economy. I think this helps to create jobs. And so ultimately, it's your decision, but precisely because we're bound at the hip, I want you to know that before you make your decision. Margaret Brennan?

MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you very much, sir. Mr. President, Vladimir Putin hasn't stopped Assad as he led you to believe he would and the cease-fire in Syria appears to be falling apart. Will you continue to bet on what looks to be a losing strategy?

Mr. Prime Minister, the U.K. today warned its citizens traveling to North Carolina and Mississippi about laws there that affect transgendered individuals. As a friend, what do you think of those laws? Mr. President, would you like to weigh in on that and sir, if you would indulge us, Prince? Indulge all of us back in the U.S., sir. Prince passed away. You were a fan. You had invited him to perform at the white house. Can you tell us what made you a fan?

OBAMA: I'm trying to figure out which order to do this. Maybe I'll start with North Carolina and Mississippi. I want everybody here in the United Kingdom to know that people of North Carolina and Mississippi are wonderful people. They are hospitable people. They are beautiful states and you are welcome and you should come and enjoy yourselves. And I think you'll be treated with extraordinary hospitality.

I also think that the laws that have been passed there are wrong. And should be overturned and they're in response to politics in part. In part, some strong emotions that are generated by people. Some of whom are good people, but I just disagree with them, when it comes to respecting the equal rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation, whether they're transgender or gay or lesbian. And although I respect their different viewpoints, I think it's very important for us not to send signals that anybody is treated differently. And I think it's fair to say that we're not unique among countries where, particularly under a federal system, in which powers disperse that there are going to be some localities or local officials that put forward laws that aren't necessarily reflective of a national consensus, but if you guys come to North Carolina and Mississippi, you will be treated well.

The second question with respect to Syria. I'm deeply concern about the cessation of hostilities...

... But if you guys come to North Carolina or Mississippi, everybody will be treated well.

[12:50:11] The sex Second question with respect to Syria, I am deeply concerned about the cessation of hostilities frame and whether it's sustainable.

Now, keep in mind that I have always been skeptical about Mr. Putin's actions and motives inside of Syria. He is, along with Iran, but preeminent backer of a murderous regime that I do not believe can regain legitimacy within his country because he's murdered a lot of people.

Having said that, what I also believe is that we cannot end the crisis in Syria without political negotiations and without getting all the parties around the table to craft a transition plan. And that by necessity means that there are going to be some people on one side of the table who I deeply disagree with and whose actions are deeply abhor.

And that's how oftentimes you resolve conflicts like this. They're taking an enormous toll on the Syrian people.

The cessation of hostility is actually held longer than I expected. And for seven weeks, we've seen a significant reduction in violence inside that country and that gives some relief to people.

I talked to Putin on Monday precisely to reinforce to him, the importance of us trying to maintain this cessation of hostilities. Asking him to put more pressure on Assad, indicating to him that we would continue to try to get the moderate opposition to stay at the negotiating table in Geneva, but this has always been hard and it's going to keep being hard.

And what David and I discussed in our meeting was that we will continue to prosecute the war against dash, against ISIL. We're going to continue to support those who are prepared to fight ISIL. And we're going to continue to target them. We're going to continue to make progress. But we're not going to solve the overall problem unless we can get this political track moving.

I assure you that we have looked at all options. None of them are great. And so we are going to play this option out. If in fact, the cessation falls apart, we'll try to put it back together again even as we continue to go after ISIL. And it's my belief that ultimately, Russia will recognize that just as this can't be solved by a military victory on this part of those we support, Russia may be able to keep the lid on alongside Iran for a while. But if you don't have a legitimate government there, they will be bled as well.

And that is not speculation on my part. I think the evidence all points in that direction.

And finally, with respect to Prince, I love Prince because he put out great music and he was a great performer. I didn't know him well. He came to perform at the White House last year and it was extraordinary and creative and original and full of energy.

And so it's a remarkable loss and I'm staying at Winfield House the U.S. Ambassador's residence. It so happens that our Ambassador has a turntable and so this morning, we played the "Purple Rain" and "Delirious" just to get warmed up before we left the house for important bilateral meetings like this.

DAVID CAMERON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: So kind of great music of the ambassadors brought a lot brilliant talent. And let me just -- I've been to North Carolina many years ago, and enjoyed it. I've not yet made it to Mississippi but one day I hope to.

The guy is that we put out to further (ph) this gives advice on travel and then obviously deals with laws and situations as they are and it tries to give that advice dispassionately and impartially. But it's very important it does so.

[12:55:09] And it's something a lot of attention is given to. Our view on any of these things is that we believe that we should be trying to use the law to end discrimination rather than to embedded all enhance it and that's something where we're comfortable saying to countries and friends anywhere in the world. But obviously, the laws people pass is a matter for their own legislators.

But we make our own views about the importance of trying to end discrimination and we have made some important steps forward in our own country on that front which we're proud of.

With that, thank you very much.

OBAMA: Thank you very much, everybody.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: President Barack Obama and the British Prime Minister David Cameron finishing a joint press conference at the Foreign Office just across the street from 10 Downing Street.

I want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world. I am Jake Tapper.

The two managed to discuss a great number of topics including new laws in North Carolina and Mississippi, having to do with the LGBT community, whether or not President Obama removed a bust of Winston Churchill. There were very big discussions about ISIS, about climate change, about Libya, about Syria, about Russia, and its campaign of what President Obama called aggression.

Let's break it all down. Let's start, of course, with CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour.

Christiane, President Obama's last campaign as president will be for the Democratic presidential nominee whomever that might be, Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.

This campaign in Europe right now in the U.K. to keep the U.K. in the European Union, this is basically his second to last campaign as president trying to keep, trying to convince the British people and the people of the U.K. to stay in the E.U.

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, yeah. I don't think he had framed it in those exact political terms but I get your point because of all those things you just mentioned that they would discuss to that press conference obviously, the hour long press conference was dominated by this idea of the E.U. referendum on what Britain will do, what Britain will choose on June 23rd.

The president made it very, very clear, in fact he surprised Britain by the no hold's barred, pulled no punches column that he wrote in the daily telegraph today in which he came out very, very strongly saying Britain must remain in the E.U. as a friend, let us tell you that Britain in the E.U. will be even greater.

Many thought that he may come here and simply provide an opinion on the periphery of these conversations that he's having. But he went out and he explained over and over again not just in that column but in his press conference just now.

Chapter and verse as to why it was important. And I think significantly and the president did this incredibly cleverly. He portrayed it as in America's vital interest. He did not just talk about it for Britain and Europe.

He said, "Look, we are weighing in because this is an alliance that serves my national interests. As president of the United States, my trade, my vital security, my intelligence, my defense pack."

So he portrayed this as, of course I'm going to weigh in and I'm going to say it very bluntly because it's about America's natural interests as well.

And he actually did take on the Naysayers and the Brexitors because many of them have been saying starting with the mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Many of the tour administers, Prime Minister Cameron's own colleagues who say, "Look, you know, if we get out, it's going to be a ball. We are going to be able to very rapidly sign a whole load of trade agreements with all the European countries, with the United States, with everybody because we're so great. We're the fifth biggest country in the world. We have such a big economy and everybody is going to want to maintain those trades.

Well, you heard President Obama from the mouth of the United States' president saying that Britain out of Europe will join the end of the queue, that the United States will be in no hurry to sign a U.S./British trade pack.

I think that was so important and really the Brexitors are going to have to really listen to that very, very clearly.

To the complaints by the Brexitors that, you know, Britain has had to give up sovereignty. He said, look, you know, this agreement has given you so much more than a little bit of your authority that you regret losing because of this global trade pack or this European trade pack.

He said, you know, all of these multilateral organizations and treaties that we sign. Demand that we compromise a little. And perhaps give up a little sovereignty. But the net benefit is so much greater that that is a relatively small price to pay.

[13:00:10] So it was really, really, very, very interesting on the Brexit question. And of course on Syria, on ...